Wellbutrin XL and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2021

For Depression "I have been taking bupropion 150 XL for 10 days with some side effects, slight headache, poor sleep, and a weird feeling. I upped my dose on day 11 to 300 XL and have been on that for the last 2 days. I am pretty tired and feel slightly anxious, plus I have had minimal appetite since I started. I’m thinking about going back to 150 XL, as I was better able to handle it. Overall, I haven’t noticed any changes yet except the side effects from the medicine."

• Ner...
• August 28, 2015

For Depression "I had constant diarrhea, 3-4 times a day. I had a loss of appetite and had gotten to the point that I couldn't stand to even think about food. Thinking about what to eat or cook for my family actually caused anxiety. I lost 10 lbs in 9 days. About the 5th or 6th day, I started to be unable to sleep during the night. I woke up every hour. During the day, I would have waves of nervous energy, almost like the feeling you get when you experience the fight or flight response. The last day I took it, I woke up at 4 am with diarrhea, left-sided abdominal pain that radiated to my back and shoulder, and heart palpitations. A trip to the ER revealed that I had a large amount of stool and gas in my colon. I had a miserable experience with Wellbutrin."

• nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on this med for about 7 months (150 mg). Initially made me feel great with little side effects, and it still does. I smoked weed for about 4 of those 7 months until I quit cold turkey 2 months ago. I think the weed negated the rise in anxiety that Wellbutrin usually gives. Wellbutrin is known to increase anxiety, so be wary, but it can wear off in a couple of weeks to months. For me, I take it with clonazepam as needed, but I take it daily almost because of the constant anxiety. For me, I am not addicted because I am on such a low dose (1 mg), but I would like to try Buspar, which I probably will. This pill gave me my motivation back that I lost for about 6 years. It allows me to get out of bed and not feel pity or sorry for myself. I usually take it in the mornings. BUT if you have GAD, be wary as it can make your anxiety worse. But the way it makes you feel motivated can outweigh the crazy anxiety it can give."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2022

For Depression "I went into this endeavor quite excited, knowing that there would be some compromises as always, and I was ready to trade. But this drug took away everything for itself. I was taking Zoloft and, upon me complaining about feeling well but not being motivated (probably I got used to SSRIs a little bit) to get my butt up and get stuff done, smoking 1.5 packs/day. Of course, to combat SSRI SD, we agreed on trying Welloft (Z 75mg - W 150mg). I've been taking Wellbutrin for exactly 20 days, and it's been a big disappointment. I definitely intend to take it for 2 months and know for sure if it's for me or not — not a day longer! Increased anxiety, aggression, appetite, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory issues, worse depression, chest pain, headache. Severe climbing anxiety till it peaked at day 8, then I would have a bad one sporadically. I would consider myself almost impotent now. I remember Paxil days with a smile. Will update if anything changes at the 2-month mark."

• you...
• November 28, 2020

For Depression "I've been on Wellbutrin XL for 3 weeks and feel no difference with depression. I have increased anxiety but still tired and groggy. I take it with Zoloft, and neither have done anything, so idk what I'll do next."

• RCG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2022

For Depression "About 5-6 years ago, my previous physician prescribed Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for major depression. Within 2 weeks, I began to feel more hypersensitive and paranoid. I advised my doctor and stopped the medicine immediately. Fast forward to July 2022. My current medicine I take is Cymbalta maxed at 60 mg 2x a day. I went for a doctor visit and informed the physician I didn't feel as if the Cymbalta was as effective and my depression was worsening. He suggested adding Wellbutrin XL low dose 150 mg. I told him about my negative experience prior, but I'd try in case my chemistry changed. Within 2 weeks, I felt worse than ever. Major anxiety, sweating, panic attacks, crying at least 10 times a day, and suicidal thoughts. I advised the doctor and went off immediately! I do not like to say 'Never,' but in this case, I WILL NEVER TAKE WELLBUTRIN AGAIN unless I have it in a suicide plan! God bless those that it helps, but not for me! If I could give a zero rating, I would."

• RCG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2022

For Depression "About 5-6 years ago, my previous physician prescribed Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for major depression. Within 2 weeks, I began to feel more hypersensitive and paranoid. I advised my doctor and stopped the medicine immediately. Fast forward to July 2022. My current medicine I take is Cymbalta maxed at 60 mg 2x a day. I went for a doctor visit and informed the physician I didn't feel as if the Cymbalta was as effective and my depression was worsening. He suggested adding Wellbutrin XL low dose 150 mg. I told him about my negative experience prior, but I'd try in case my chemistry changed. Within 2 weeks, I felt worse than ever. Major anxiety, sweating, panic attacks, crying at least 10 times a day, and suicidal thoughts. I advised the doctor and went off immediately! I do not like to say 'Never,' but in this case, I WILL NEVER TAKE WELLBUTRIN AGAIN unless I have it in a suicide plan! God bless those that it helps, but not for me! If I could give a zero rating, I would."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2016

For Depression "I got on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg because I was having a hard time with racing thoughts and depression. It's been two weeks, and my anxiety went up from a 6 to like 100. It also makes me afraid I'll hurt myself when I get the strong anxiety feeling, it's weird. I also have been really shaky inside and nauseous. It's hard to eat, I get so sick at my stomach, which isn't so bad. I need to lose some lbs. I told my doc, and he is going to add Abilify 2 mg to see if it helps. I haven't picked up the prescription yet till later today. I hope it helps. I just want to feel normal again, enjoy life instead of dwelling on everything."

• Ott...
• October 31, 2015

For Depression "I was depressed and sad with no motivation. I had suffered several losses and could not seem to recover. Developed anxiety. I just wanted to be my carefree, busy self again. My doctor gave me 100 mg Wellbutrin. I took it for a few weeks and felt just weird, not better. My doctor suggested I double the dose. I took 200 mg and immediately felt suicidal. My boyfriend had to restrain me from jumping out the window or slicing my throat. The most awful feeling of my life. But I learned that compared to that feeling, I wasn't that depressed, and I went on trazodone for sleeping issues. Helped greatly, as well as strenuous exercise an hour a day. I'm sure some meds work, but I feel as if you are playing Russian roulette with your life."

• Hil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "This was possibly the worst thing the doctor could have given me. Granted, he didn't know any effect it would have on me, but never again! After about a week or two, I had to stop taking them. It actually increased both my depression and anxiety. I was always tired, but I was super jittery as well. My mother informed me that I looked like I was on meth. Thanks, mom!"

• Hil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "This was possibly the worst thing the doctor could have given me. Granted, he didn't know any effect it would have on me, but never again! After about a week or two, I had to stop taking them. It actually increased both my depression and anxiety. I was always tired, but I was super jittery as well. My mother informed me that I looked like I was on meth. Thanks, mom!"

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking this medication for under 6 months now, and I have gained 10 lbs while taking this drug. I don't feel like I have increased energy than before, like some other people described. I feel more irritable and anxious at times, still can't sleep at night. I get the dry mouth side effects and occasional constipation. I'm taking 300 mg XL once a day. I am getting more depressed with gaining weight on this drug! I was taking Lexapro before and didn't find it helped me feel less depressed and experienced a lot of nightmares or weird dreams while taking Lexapro!"

• vic...
• May 11, 2015

For Depression "I am a 21-year-old female. I started taking Wellbutrin 2 months ago, and I felt a difference within about 2 weeks, and full effect at almost 4 weeks. It was great for a while, but it increased my anxiety a lot where I'm not doing the things I used to enjoy. It did help with my depression and energy a ton, though, and I've gotten more done since I've been on the medication than I have in the last 6 months combined. But to me, it isn't worth it. I was on Celexa 8 months ago, and it worked fine, but it made me pretty zombie-like. On this medication, I feel like there's an elephant sitting on my chest. I can't even take my daughters for their after-dinner walk because I have such shortness of breath. I am going to ask my doctor for a different med!"

• Mmm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2022

For Depression "I started taking Wellbutrin XL 150 about 6 months ago. My depression and anxiety were through the roof. We found out I have borderline disorder. Would drink 8-10 coffees per day. Very angry and moody. Anyhow, I will be tested for ADHD in a few weeks. 2 weeks ago we changed to Wellbutrin XL 300. It’s been a positive experience. Max 1-2 coffees per day. I remember stuff. I feel better. I am less impulsive. I feel like I am awake now. It’s been good so far. I am sure with a stimulant added to my Wellbutrin, I will experience what it feels like to be normal."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2021

For Depression "I started Wellbutrin XL 150 mg a week ago for anxiety. I was fine for the first couple of days. I actually thought it might be working. By day three, I started to develop a bad headache and dizziness. On day four, I had muscle and joint aches. By day five, I was still experiencing all of these symptoms plus ringing in the ears and shortness of breath. Wellbutrin gradually increased my anxiety and led to a severe panic attack that almost landed me in the ER. My physician took me off the medicine right away and prescribed something else. Wellbutrin does seem to help others. It just wasn’t the right medicine for me. Everybody is different. Good luck in your search for wellness."

• Ari...
• June 7, 2015

For Depression "Others have warned about this, but do not take if you have anxiety issues. I took this for two weeks at 150 mg. The first week was fine, felt blunted emotionally a bit, which was not necessarily a bad thing. Around day 11, I started having bad anxiety about 10 hours after dosage, and I felt sore and worn out. It was unbearable, I did this for 3 days more before quitting. I contacted my doctor, who said I did the right thing. Then I was emotionally in pain for a few days and weeping about every hour. I felt raw, like I had no skin to protect me. They say Wellbutrin is easy to drop, well, I don't know... it might be because of my anxiety, but I feel a lot worse now than I did before taking it."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2022

For Depression "I started Bupropion in Jan 2022. I was diagnosed in 2007 with Bipolar II Disorder, but also have Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD. I have been on various antipsychotics and SSRI/SSNRI antidepressants for at least twenty years. My depression has always been problematic. I have achieved significant relief with my current medicine regimen, which is Sertraline 100 mg x1, Lamotrigine 250 mg x1, and Bupropion 450 mg daily. I titrated up Bupropion XL from 150 mg to 450 mg over the course of two weeks. Side effects first included severe constipation, headaches, stomach ache, and an increase in anxiety. After about two weeks, those side effects abated. When I upped it to 300 mg, I developed some leg restlessness (not Akathisia), which abated in about three days. When I titrated up to 450 mg, I developed diarrhea for three days. I am now on the 450s with no serious side effects. For me, the Bupropion only started working when I reached 450 mg. Although it has not been a game changer, I feel that it safely and effectively complements my other meds."

• Lop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2018

For Depression "Wellbutrin gave me the worst experience of my life. I had been taking venlafaxine, and my mood had become much, much better, but I was still lethargic. My psychiatrist suggested I add Wellbutrin. I started getting extremely anxious, and after 2 weeks, decided to stop taking it. My word! I thought my mind was disintegrating when coming off of it. I lost my memory function for about 10 days. I couldn't remember if I had asked something already, if I had asked it a few minutes prior, a day prior, or a week prior. I couldn't remember people's names and experienced confusion like never before. My psychiatrist said Wellbutrin isn't known for withdrawal effects, but I now know what it must feel like to have dementia. Never again! Instead, I increased venlafaxine to 300 mg 6 months later. It has changed my life so completely that I don't mind taking it for the rest of my life."

• Ott...
• November 22, 2017

For Depression "I was on Cipralex for 15 years, and I got fed up with the reduced erections and orgasms. My endocrinologist recommended trying an SNRI (Wellbutrin 300 mg), and it helped a bit with the bad side effects of Cipralex, but I found that I was sad often, and I’d cry easily. I increased the dosage to 450 mg, and the sadness went away almost instantly. After a few weeks at 450 mg, I started to feel more and more anxious. I had read that the dosage shouldn’t go beyond 450, so I didn’t want to risk an increase, so I stopped taking them completely, and the anxiety has almost disappeared. (Almost means that it's 90% better.) I’ve been off of Wellbutrin for almost a week, and I haven’t had any side effects yet."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2021

For Depression "I took 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL for almost two years. At first, it worked wonders and got me out of a deep depression. Within two weeks of starting, I had increased motivation and interest in life again. The problem that I had with Wellbutrin is that it seemed to lose its effectiveness pretty quickly. After a few months, I went up to 300 mg and the increase didn't seem to help my depression much, but it did make me more anxious and eradicated my appetite. 150 mg is a better dose for me. Increased energy, increased sex drive, slightly lowered appetite, which helped me reduce emotional eating. For me, Wellbutrin was better for increasing my happiness, rather than decreasing my depression. I think that Wellbutrin would pair well with an SSRI for increased motivation, energy, and sex drive, while the SSRI treats anxiety and lowers the floor of depression."

• Dmu...
• March 17, 2019

"I’m a 57-year-old male. I started Zoloft 4 1/2 months ago for anxiety disorder, 50 mg per day. During the first week, I experienced anorgasm, which I had never experienced before, but I had some other side effects, like a little nausea and a little anxiety. I had never taken these types of drugs before, so I only knew what I read in these forums. I think a lot of side effects were in my head because I was hypersensitive and hyperaware, because I had nothing to reference the feeling, both physical and mental sensations I had. After 4 weeks, the side effects had gone away, after 6 weeks, I felt good, and after 8 weeks on the Zoloft, I felt normal again, like my feet were in the ground. At week 6, I decided to try and tackle my anorgasm problem, and my doctor recommended trying Wellbutrin (Bupropion) along with the Zoloft. I started off at 150 mg, then moved to 300 mg. After just a couple of days, I had my first orgasm in a month and a half."

• TEl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2015

For Depression "I was on generic Bupropion for almost 2 years (HCl XL 150 mg), and it was okay. It did help with the depression, but towards the end of the day (took pill at 7 am), by 5 pm, I was feeling down and irritable again. I never really thought about it until everything I've read about the generics having time-release issues, so I know it's not just me! I definitely had more energy and was good during the day, but at 5 pm, I shut down emotionally. I tried switching to generic Bup HCl XL 300 mg last year, but only made it 5 days in before switching back due to anxiety/no sleep side effects. I really hated that my mail-order RX company would switch the manufacturer of my drug-one bottle was from Global, and the next, Actavis. Now I'm on brand Wellbutrin XL 300 mg and hoping it works!"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2016

For Depression "Initially, this medicine seemed to work well for me, and it made me feel good...so to speak. But all of a sudden, and I do believe it was Wellbutrin XL, I started tripping the f out....I had dreams that were almost real, full of insane anxiety, like the inside of my body was shaking, and I could feel my teeth make a noise bumping together super fast....I was having imaginations of people above me using dangerous weapons on me through the ceiling, and I was not to move out of my bed like I was tied down there forever. I had the most insane trips ever...I had dreams where I had to act certain ways or I was to be punished, it was truly insane...one time, I was in my room, and I swore I heard rap music and gangsters outside, and no one was outside."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2021

"Tried this medication for 6 days and became very sensitive to my environment, and everything was louder than usual. Felt extreme anxiety 24/7, woke up one morning and asked my mom where my winter boots were just so I knew I had them, but it's only summer still. Also, vivid dreams and almost needed Ativan daily due to worsening symptoms of illness. Won't take again."

• ADH...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 15, 2021

"Ritalin and Adderall would make me jittery and made my heart rate way too high - this gave me the ability to focus for a little longer than usual. I have been on Wellbutrin XL for about 7 years - started at 100 mg, moved up to 150 mg to take the edge off (for ADHD), then increased to 300 mg to combat both my ADHD and anxiety. I have felt like my body is starting to get used to the med, so I am now increasing to 450 mg to help boost focus again."